Published: Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 10:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 10:35 p.m.

BATON ROUGE — Gov. Bobby Jindal is asking the state Bond Commission to approve $26.5 million for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection project, and the request is expected to be approved.

Of that amount, $1.5 million would be an immediate non-cash line of credit, probably used for advancing work on the Little Caillou Floodgate. The remainder is pledged for future years.

Jindal’s capital-outlay budget, which contains money for construction projects statewide, has more than $60 million earmarked for Morganza. A cash line of credit totaling $14.7 million was likewise advanced by the administration in July.

Lawmakers must approve a capital-outlay budget each year, and the administration selects which projects go to the Bond Commission for final approval. Not all projects in the budget receive money.

The governor, however, has long championed Morganza, using the resources of his office to protect its state money and making personal appearances in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes to bring attention to the effort.

“Everyone’s very pleased,” said delegation dean Rep. Gordon Dove, R-Houma. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the governor’s support on the project.”

As envisioned, Morganza would have a 72-mile footprint of levees, 13 gates and as many tidal-exchange structures. A lock in Houma spanning 800 feet is in the plans, too, and helps push the estimated price tag past $1.6 billion.

While the governor has promoted the safety aspects of Morganza, he said it will — in concert with other capital improvements recommended for money this past week — help improve “our state’s colleges and universities, health care services and infrastructure.” He said there’s an economic factor as well.

“These investments will make Louisiana more attractive to companies that want to expand or invest in our state so we can create more opportunities for our people right here at home,” the governor said.

The administration also sent another $5.3 million worth of recommendations to the Bond Commission for projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, including $4 million for an Integrated Petroleum Technologies Program and a related lab and classroom building.

The non-cash line of credit would be assigned to Fletcher Technical Community College, which has already received an additional $4 million via a BP grant.

Fletcher officials could get the same kind of deal for a diesel marine, welding and transportation building if the Bond Commission approves another $200,000 recommendation later this month.

Rep. Lenar Whitney, R-Houma, who worked on the project during this year’s regular session, said the goal is to promote manufacturing and marine development.

“This will help us to continue producing a skilled-labor force from all of the surrounding communities,” she said.

Other non-cash lines of credit recommended by Jindal’s administration this past week include:

<p>BATON ROUGE — Gov. Bobby Jindal is asking the state Bond Commission to approve $26.5 million for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection project, and the request is expected to be approved.</p><p>Of that amount, $1.5 million would be an immediate non-cash line of credit, probably used for advancing work on the Little Caillou Floodgate. The remainder is pledged for future years. </p><p>Jindal's capital-outlay budget, which contains money for construction projects statewide, has more than $60 million earmarked for Morganza. A cash line of credit totaling $14.7 million was likewise advanced by the administration in July. </p><p>Lawmakers must approve a capital-outlay budget each year, and the administration selects which projects go to the Bond Commission for final approval. Not all projects in the budget receive money. </p><p>The governor, however, has long championed Morganza, using the resources of his office to protect its state money and making personal appearances in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes to bring attention to the effort. </p><p>“Everyone's very pleased,” said delegation dean Rep. Gordon Dove, R-Houma. “This wouldn't have been possible without the governor's support on the project.” </p><p>As envisioned, Morganza would have a 72-mile footprint of levees, 13 gates and as many tidal-exchange structures. A lock in Houma spanning 800 feet is in the plans, too, and helps push the estimated price tag past $1.6 billion. </p><p>While the governor has promoted the safety aspects of Morganza, he said it will — in concert with other capital improvements recommended for money this past week — help improve “our state's colleges and universities, health care services and infrastructure.” He said there's an economic factor as well.</p><p>“These investments will make Louisiana more attractive to companies that want to expand or invest in our state so we can create more opportunities for our people right here at home,” the governor said.</p><p>The administration also sent another $5.3 million worth of recommendations to the Bond Commission for projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, including $4 million for an Integrated Petroleum Technologies Program and a related lab and classroom building. </p><p>The non-cash line of credit would be assigned to Fletcher Technical Community College, which has already received an additional $4 million via a BP grant.</p><p>Fletcher officials could get the same kind of deal for a diesel marine, welding and transportation building if the Bond Commission approves another $200,000 recommendation later this month. </p><p>Rep. Lenar Whitney, R-Houma, who worked on the project during this year's regular session, said the goal is to promote manufacturing and marine development. </p><p>“This will help us to continue producing a skilled-labor force from all of the surrounding communities,” she said. </p><p>Other non-cash lines of credit recommended by Jindal's administration this past week include: </p><p>n $710,000 for port slip dredging and related work in Terrebonne.</p><p>n $200,000 for the Upper Bayou Dularge Pump Station, planning and construction.</p><p>n $200,000 athletic facilities renovations at Nicholls State University.</p><p>Capitol Correspondent Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.</p>